ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 18 August 1922, Page 3

ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI 15 DEFEATS HOROWHENUA 11.

The first meeting since the eventful year of 1914—when war broke out—between the Wanganui and Horowhenua rep. t.eams took place on Wednesday afternoon, wnen the visitors were successful by a margin of 15 points to 11. The game was an attractive one throughout, the forwards and backs on both sides making the play last and open. It was expected that Wanganui would show a strong superiority seeing their successful record in the field this season, but Horowhenua made a really good display and were unlucky in not winning, as several scores were missed by narrow margins.

THE GAME

Wanganui (blue) had sun and wind in their favour in the opening spell, but Horowhenua (red) took up the'offensive right away, and, for the firstten minutes initiated a series of back and forward attacks that kept the visitors busy on the defence. The

passing of the home backs was bright and nippy, Utiku, T. and N. Winiata and Moses doing good work. The forwards,* too, were making the pace willing, the Reds at this stage making

a much better showing than the visitors. At length Lockett broke away and led the first Wanganui offensive, which eventually reached the Horowhenua corner flag. Here the Red forwards rallied, and Rangi Broughton was instrumental in shifting to midfield. The game continued fast and interesting, and penalties by the Reds gave Collier two chances at goal which he very nearly landed. A deep kick by Wanganui, however, caused Horowhenua to force down. Moses, who was playing a capital game, opened up the play, and a strong attacking movement caused the Blacks to force. Hartley retaliated for Wan-

ganui. and sprinted strongly down the line, putting the Blues in a good at-; tacking position. Tana and Koro! headed a, forward rush that relieved, but the Blues redoubled their efforts and swept into the Red twenty-five, where a scrum followed near the goal. Kane whipped round smartly, and

getting possession dodged through and scored. Bennett goaled. Wanganui 5, Horowhenua 9. The Blue hacks followed, this- with , a movement down the sideline, and Train sent the attack across the field to the other side, where Moses brought.operations to a standstill by solid collaring. A penalty gave Collier another shot. at. the crossbar, and he was successful— Wanganui 8, Horowhenua 0. The visitors now began to make matters interesting, but Johnson at lull back vvas equal to the occasion, his kicking and collaring being very sound. The Red forwards, who had been active all through, next took a turn on the attack. The back's commenced and the forwards carried, on, R. Moynihan, Rangi, Koro and Sands being in front with nothing between them and the goal-line. Rangi picked up, and ran across to score. Moses missed the kick. Wanganui 8, Horowhenua 3. What looked like trouble for Horowhenua was averted by good play by T. Winiata, and R. Moynihan and Tana carried the play to the visitors’ twenty-five. The game passed quickly up; and down field, first one and the other attacking and defending. A passing rush by the Blues failed ; on account of Jensen missing a pass, and a had pass by Nepia missed a good opening for Horowhenua. The Red forwards were soon in evidence again,

and R. Moynihan, Bevan, Rangi and R. George overran the defence, and Rangi scored his second try. The kick failed, and the score was Wanganui 8, Horowhenua 6. The home side was battling strongly in the visitors’ territory when the interval was called.

The second spell opened with a long bout of play -between the twenty-tive lines. Cameron then started the Blues on the attack, and a strong passing run only failed through Collier missing his pass. Play settled in the home twenty-live, where exciting play ensued in front of the goal. Collier made amends by getting clear of the ruck and neatly potting a goal—Wanganui 12, Horowhenua 6. Strong kicking by Bevan compelled Wanganui to again force. Turning defence into an offensive, the BJues attacked strongly, Johnson saving. R. Moynihan and Kangi again broke away in front uf a strong rush which Hartley' and Bennett saved just in ■ time. A strong kick across field by Johnson brought about another exciting bout, Moses and Tana making a great dash for the line, the latter being pushed out at the corner flag. Collett: and Pini sent the attack back to the other end, and Smith following up well, finished off a ‘good run by scoring, making WanI ganui 15, and Horowhenua 6. ImmeI diately after the Reds were again on the move, and swarmed over the opposing line, Wanganui forcing. They held the play in Wanganui ground, and pushing their advantage, a Blue player kicked over his own line, T. Moynihan securing and scoring at the posts. Moses goaled. Wanganui 15, f Horowhenua 11. Exciting play followed up to the call of time, with the Reds having the best of the game, *